Mary Ann Kohler

Mary Ann Kohler passed away peacefully, with her family by her side, on August 8, 2023 at the age of 63. She was born on July 23, 1960 in Brooklyn, New York to Thomas and Kathleen (nee Rodgers) Thurlow.

Mary was raised in Brooklyn, New York. Of her childhood, she often spoke about summers in Wyoming, her job at Circles Cafe in Brooklyn with her best friend, Jody, and most of all, the many shenanigans and adventures with her 8 siblings. She graduated from the City College of New York in 1981 with a business degree. After graduation, Mary started as a Flight Attendant, kickstarting an over 40 year fulfilling career in the global travel industry and a passion for travel. It was in Chicago that she met the love of her life, Ken, and began her next chapter, building a family of seven that became her true life’s mission.

After having her first child, they moved to Grosse Pointe to lay down roots for their growing family. It was here that Mary built lifelong friendships, got involved with her church and her children's school and activities, and even pursued her MBA, supporting her path to an Executive role at AMEX GBT in a career that brought her, and sometimes her kids and Ken, around the world. Her work ethic was tireless and not just shown in her day job, but in how she managed multiple soccer teams, joined the Board for the Eastside Football Club, and tried to make every sporting event for her kids with snacks in tow.

If you knew Mary, you loved her. Her spirit lit up every room and made those around her feel welcomed, understood, and special. It was her superpower. She cared for others before herself and it was felt in everything she did - her attentiveness to your successes and troubles, her offerings of food, gifts, and her time to friends, family, pets, and strangers, and her contributions to her local community, church, and work. The love she shared with those around her was felt ten-fold by her family. Her children and husband were her lifeline and gave her purpose and strength each and every day and that feeling was mutual.

She leaves behind her loving husband of 38 years, Ken, and their five children and spouses, Courtney, John (Kathryn), Katelyn, Thomas, and Madeline. She will be missed by her siblings Frank Thurlow (Kathy), Thomas Thurlow, Kathy Kane (Michael), John Thurlow, Kevin Thurlow, Dennis Thurlow, William Thurlow, and Peter Thurlow (Laura). She is survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and friends that became family.

In lieu of flowers, her family asks that you please give memorial donations to First English Lutheran Church or to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (ocrahope.org) to support continued research and awareness.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 13th from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm at A.H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave., at Vernier Rd., Grosse Pointe Woods. Mary will lie instate on Monday, August 14th, from 9:00 am until the time of her funeral at 10:00 am at First English Lutheran Church, 800 Vernier Rd., Grosse Pointe Woods.